Shattered

11

Brice has enough control left to say, "You need to tell me to stop, Savana. Push me away, I can't stop on my own."

Savana, confused at his request does as he says but is very hurt by it. She doesn't understand why he would ask that of her. She picks up her iPad and writes, "Did I do something wrong?"

Unnoticed by anyone, KK had come into the room. He reads her message to Brice. He's the one to answer her while Brice gets himself under control and cooled down.

"It's not that you have done anything wrong, Savana, it's that he doesn't want you to pay him back with sexual favors. He doesn't have a lot of honor, none of us here do, but what little he does have comes under those he protects. You are under his protection, and therefor, hands off for all of us. He is very attracted to you, you are incredibly beautiful. He's never had to be very controlled when it comes to females, especially beautiful ones like you. If he doesn't stop he'll be breaking what little honor he has left."

Savana covers her mouth in horror, "I would be hurting him?" She writes once she is able to calm down enough to write.

KK nods, "Yes, he would lose what little honor he has left. He will feel like he has failed you and it will devastate him to do that. He wishes more than anything to help you and protect you from all harm, including from him. He will lose respect from his men and that will be bad for you as well, since it is the respect they have for him that they don't or won't disrespect you. That is why Johnston will be punished for touching you without permission."

"I'm sorry, so sorry, I didn't mean to cause problems." Savana writes as fast as she can. "It makes it hard for you, when I stay with you, doesn't it?" She is nearly in tears. She only feels safe staying with Brice and if she's going to hurt him by being with him, then she won't be able to be near him.

Once Brice calms down he goes over to Savana and enfolds her in his arms. "It's alright, Savana. Learning a bit of self control won't hurt me. I don't want you to feel like you have to distance yourself from me. I don't want you to change your feelings about being near me, just have to hold back on anything physical. You are far too enticing to me, but I do have some restraint."

Savana writes on the iPad, "I don't want to hurt you. You've helped me so much already. The last thing I want to do is cause you problems."

"Oh, Savana, you won't be causing me problems. We just need to make sure that we don't kiss or do anything physical."

Savana shakes her head. "You weren't able to sleep last night because of me. I'm causing you harm by being next to you."

Brice sighs deeply. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to make you feel like you are causing me problems. You most definitely aren't. You are welcome to stay in your room, but if you feel more comfortable sharing my room we can move a bed in if you aren't comfortable staying with me any longer."

"I don't want to keep you from sleeping any more. You need to sleep at night, not be kept awake from me being next to you." Savana shakes her head and writes for him to know what she's thinking.

Brice smiles at her before responding. "It's alright, I'll get used to it and it won't bother me any more."

"But, how can I do that to you?" Savana writes unhappily.

"It's alright, I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you, Savana." Brice does his best to calm her down and once he succeeds changes the subject. "You still need to try on the clothes. Take them on into your bathroom and make sure the housekeeper got the other products you requested. Any you don't like or don't fit we'll take back and exchange for you." Brice tells her and she shakes her head.